Bombs, guns found after 4 arrested

A recent juvenile well-being check at an apartment on Highway 112 in Cassville led to four arrests and charges relating to drugs, weapons and three improvised explosive devices found in a vehicle.

Joseph Cramer, 28, of Anderson, is facing five felonies and two misdemeanors; Larry Delano, 55, of Cassville, has been charged with four felonies; Vanessa Ramos, 28, of Washburn is facing two felonies; and Alana Tate, 18, of Cassville, is charged with two felonies.

According to a probable cause filed by Cpl. Zack Bryan, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Barry County Sheriff's Office responded to Delano's apartment for a juvenile well-being check at about 12:05 p.m. on Jan. 3. After seeing suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in plain view on the kitchen table, deputies on the scene detained six adults, secured one child and called for investigators.

Bryan arrived and met with Barry County Det. Doug Henry to initiate a search of the residence, for which Delano allegedly gave his written consent. On the table was Cramer's insurance card, folded in half, which Bryan said is a tool used for bagging for distribution. Also found was a green container of marijuana, a digital scale, drug paraphernalia and a clear container with six plastic baggies of methamphetamine ready for distribution.

A search of the chair Delano was sitting in allegedly revealed unused baggies and a pill container labeled "Me and Kramer" that had Hydrocodone, Alprazolam and other pills inside. On the end table next to Delano's chair were more baggies and an alleged hand-written drug ledger.

Further investigation revealed Cramer and Ramos allegedly brought the methamphetamine to the house, knowing there was a juvenile was present.

Two adults were released without charges, while Delano, Cramer, Ramos and Tate were arrested and transported to the Barry County jail. The child was released into the custody of the Missouri Department of Family Services.

Upon arriving at the Barry County jail, according to a probable cause statement filed by Henry, Jail Administrator Jan Smith, when dressing Tate for entry into the jail, located a baggie with methamphetamine in Tate's bra.

On Jan. 4, Henry and Bryan served a warrant on Cramer's vehicle, a 2001 Cadillac, which had been towed when Cramer was arrested.

Henry said they allegedly located suspected methamphetamine and Hydrocodone, as well as a .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle, 22.-caliber ammunition, .357 ammunition and three suspicious devices believed to be bombs.

The explosives were located in the trunk of the vehicle, with two inside the pockets of a police- or military-style tactical vest, along with flexible handcuff. The final device was in the corner of the trunk.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agent Brian Fox and the Springfield Fire Department Bomb Squad responded to the scene, where bomb squad personnel disabled and dismantled the devices.

"Fox informed me that they believe all three devices were indeed improvised explosive devices," Henry said in the statement.

Fox secured the devices for examination at the ATF's labs.

Delano is being held in the Barry County jail on charges of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs, three counts of delivery of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is set at $50,000.

Cramer is being held in the Barry County jail on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He is also charged with unlawful possession of an illegal weapon in a second case. His bond on the drug charges case is $25,000, and the bond for the illegal weapon case is 4,500, cash only.

Tate is being held in the Barry County jail on charges of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs and delivery of a controlled substance at a county jail. Her bond is set at $15,000.

All three have been arraigned, and all have disposition hearings scheduled for Jan. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in the courtroom of Judge Robert Foulke.

Ramos is charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs and delivery of a controlled substance. She was released from the Barry County jail on a $20,000 bond and has an arraignment scheduled for Jan. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in Foulke's courtroom.